Political parties

What is a political party?

When you register to vote, you are asked if you want to choose a political party.

• A political party is a group of people who share the same ideas about how the government should be run and what it should do. Parties work to win elections.
• You may also choose "Decline to State" and not join a political party. More than 3,128,000 Californians registered "Decline to State" as of May 19, 2008.
• It does not cost anything to join a party, nor do you have to do anything for the party that you choose.
• In a Statewide Primary election California voters help to narrow down the choices of candidates for political offices to just one from each political party. In a primary election, voters may only vote on the candidates that are running to represent their political party, although some of the political parties do allow "Decline to State" voters to vote their party's ballot. The winning candidates from each party in a primary election then run against each other in the November General Election.
• In a General Election, usually in November, it does not matter which political party you belong too, you are free to vote for any candidate, regardless of your political party registration.

There are six “qualified” political parties in California, which means they have enough members to run candidates for office. New political parties can be started if they get enough people to be members. We asked each Political Party what they stand for. You can use what they say to help you decide which one to join. Or, you can mark “Decline to State” on your voter registration form if you do not want to join a party.

Read the statements and top priorites as submitted by California's political parties by clicking on a party name below (they are listed in alphabetical order and the number of party members listed is from the Secretary of State's May 19, 2008, totals and has been rounded to the nearest thousand):

American Independent Party
Democratic Party
Green Party
Libertarian Party
Peace and Freedom Party
Republican Party

 

American Independent Party (Rev. 11/05/08)
We believe in liberty and justice for all under God. We want to keep America independent and safe. We will protect the family, marriage and work. We believe in individual responsibility and free enterprise. We must obey our Constitution and promote Declaration of Independence principles.

Top Priorities:
 - Protect the right to life & strengthen families.
 - Secure the border & enforce immigaration laws.
 - Balance State budget.

This party has more than 331,000 members in California. For more information, call 707-359-4884 or visit http://www.aipca.org/.

 

Democratic Party
The Democratic Party believes the role of government is to educate its citizens, protect their rights, including a woman’s right to choose, and ensure a stable, prosperous and safe nation with a strong, expanding economy benefiting all Americans.

Top Priorities:
 - End the war in Iraq; protect all Americans.
 - Quality education; expand college opportunities.
 - Health care for all; a cleaner environment.

This party has more than 7,053,000 members in California. For more information, call 916-442-5707 or visit http://www.cadem.org/.

 

Green Party
Greens stand for peace, social and economic justice, nonviolence, grassroots democracy, respect for diversity, women’s rights and protection of the environment.

Greens advocate valued practices that protect the planet, its people and promote peace.

Top Priorities:
 - Living wages; health care; education for all.
 - Clean energy and environment.
 - Election reform and accountability.

This party has more than 120,000 members in California. For more information, call 916-448-3437 or visit http://www.cagreens.org/.

 

Libertarian Party
The Libertarian Party is your best choice for reasonable government. If you’re socially tolerant and fiscally responsible, you’re a libertarian!

You, not the government, should decide how to run your life, checkbook, education and family.

Top Priorities:
 - Increase individual liberty and responsibility.
 - Shrink government, reduce taxes.
 - Liberate education, commerce and personal choice.

This party has almost 80,000 members in California.  For more information, call 877-884-1776 or visit http://www.ca.lp.org/.

 

Peace and Freedom Party
The Peace and Freedom Party stands for democracy, cooperation and sharing. They want to organize and educate the public to work together to meet human needs.

This party believes the role of government should be to make sure that everyone has jobs, housing, education, health care and equal rights.

Top Priorities:
 - Bring all troops home now.
 - Double the minimum wage.
 - One system of free, quality health care for all.

This party has more than 56,000 members in California. For more information, call 510-465-9414 or visit http://www.peaceandfreedom.org/.

 

Republican Party
The Republican Party is committed to improving our quality of life in every part of California. We are working to achieve this by creating jobs, improving schools, keeping communities safe, and improving the state’s health care and environment.

Top Priorities:
 - Promote an economy that creates new jobs.
 - Improve education and health care systems.
 - Protect taxpayers force government to live within its means.

The party has more than 5,244,000 members in California. For more information, call 818-841-5210 or visit http://www.cagop.org/.